Curtin Australia conducts Quality Training for Curtin Sarawak Staff

MIRI, 22 May 2006 – In line with its mission towards excellence and providing students with world-class education, Ms Megan Funston, Coordinator, Curtin Vocational Training & Education Centre, Kalgoorlie, WA (Curtin VTEC) conducted the Quality Training Framework for staff in the Diploma of Business Programme recently.

Ms Megan, Coordinator of Diploma in Business Program conducted an intensive one-week professional development and training on Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). The range of topics covered competency based training (CBT), competency standards, key competencies, AQTF Skills recognition and assessments. Ms Megan, Coordinator of Diploma in Business Program conducted an intensive one-week professional development and training on Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). The range of topics covered competency based training (CBT), competency standards, key competencies, AQTF Skills recognition and assessments.

Ms Beena Giridharan, Acting Director, Pre-University Studies, Curtin Sarawak said, “This is the first of a series of visits planned by the School of Pre-U Studies at Curtin Sarawak and Curtin VTEC.  Besides providing the training sessions, Ms Funston also had the opportunity to observe teaching at Curtin Sarawak and was greatly impressed by the high quality of teaching received by students currently in the programme.

Competency based training is a unique feature of vocational training in Australia and the training is designed to meet the needs of industry. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a unique feature of the Diploma in Business programme offered at Curtin Sarawak. RPL or Skills Recognition describes a number of assessment procedures resulting from the formal recognition of competencies that a person has acquired through formal or informal work experiences and/ or life experiences. RPL assesses this unrecognised learning against the requirements of a qualification, in respect of both entry requirements and outcomes to be achieved. By removing the need for duplication of learning, RPL encourages an individual to continue upgrading their skills and knowledge through structured education and training towards formal qualifications and improved employment outcomes.”

“As such, the Diploma in Business programme offered at Curtin Sarawak provides an excellent opportunity for employees in Sarawak to formalise key competencies they have gained through industry experience. This avenue provides a diverse and inclusive pathway to lifelong learning through the quality, integrity and standing of Australian qualifications,” continued Ms Beena Giridharan.

Curtin Sarawak was established in February 1999 in partnership with the Sarawak Government, it is the first offshore campus of the Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia and also the first foreign university campus to be set up in East Malaysia. In November 1999, Curtin Sarawak was awarded the Multimedia Super Corridor status. In December 2004, Curtin Sarawak was awarded the prestigious IRPA grant (Intensification of Research in Priority Areas) from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

Curtin Sarawak’s next intake will be in July 2006, and recruitment sessions and enrolments for the second intake for the Diploma in Business are currently ongoing throughout the region. Application for admission form for Curtin Sarawak programs can be downloaded at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.my/how-to-apply/

With students drawn from various countries, Curtin Sarawak offers an affordable education and a unique international and cross-cultural learning experience. The ultimate reward is the attainment of a prestigious internationally acclaimed Curtin degree.

Picture 1 : Ms Megan Funston, Coordinator, Curtin Vocational Training & Education Centre, Kalgoorlie, WA (Curtin VTEC) conducted the Quality Training Framework for staff in the Diploma of Business Programme in Curtin Sarawak

Picture 2: Curtin (VTEC) in progress